DeLand, Fla. -  The Stetson Hatters returned home on Friday night after a short trip to Georgia, and they brought their bats with them. The Hatters tallied 14 runs on 12 hits, seven walks, and five hit-by-pitches to take down the Bradley Braves 14-5 at Melching Field

After Bradley (3-8) used a pair of hits to left field to grab a 1-0 lead in the game's opening frame, the Hatters (9-5) countered in their half. Shortstop Lorenzo Meola got the inning started with a single to right-center field and centerfielder Kyle Jones wore a 1-0 offering to set the table for first baseman Landon Moran, who ripped a single to right field to drive in Meola and reset the score at 1-1. Jones, who went first first-to-third on Moran's single, then came in to score on a double play ball from right fielder Jayden Hylton to give the Hatters a 2-1 lead. 

Both starters worked themselves out of danger over the next two innings, as a runner was stranded in scoring position in each of the next four half-innings. It would be the Braves who would capitalize first, thanks to a single, stolen base, and double to tie things at 2-2 in the top of the fourth. 

Once again the Hats answered immediately, as designated hitter Daniel Labrador singled to right to get the bottom of the fourth started. After left fielder Luke Hughes moved Labrador over and second baseman Yohann Dessureault worked a walk, third baseman Nelphie Lopez singled to left. An error on the play allowed both Labrador and Dessureault to score, giving Stetson the 4-2 lead and putting Lopez on third for Meola, who lofted a sacrifice fly to right to drive in the run and make it 5-2. 

Stetson took advantage of a pair of Bradley miscues to extend the lead in the sixth, as Lopez singled and went first-to-third on a failed pick-off before scoring on a single from Meola, who later came in to score on an error off the bat of Hylton to give the Hatters a 7-2 advantage. 

The Braves got a run back in the top of the seventh and looked poised for more, but reliever Nick Durgin was able to induce a fielder's choice to leave the bases loaded. 

Stetson carried that momentum into the bottom of the inning, striking seven times to take a 14-3 lead. Lopez, Meola, Jones, and Hylton each drove in a single run, before Labrador planted a ball off the top of the wall in left field, missing the grand slam by a foot but still driving in three with a double. 

Bradley struck twice in the top of the ninth to cut the Hatter lead to 14-5, but that would be it for the Braves. 

Dylan Jacobs got the start for Stetson and went 4.0 innings, allowing  a pair of earned runs while striking out five and issuing two walks. TJ Melani (1-0) earned the win in relief after holding the Braves to a single earned run on just a walk while striking out three in 2.1 innings. Nick Durgin worked a scoreless 1.2 innings and struck out a pair, and Gabriel Cruz threw the final inning for the Hatters. 

At the plate, Lopez made the most of his first collegiate start, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, an RBI, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch. Labrador was 3-for-4 with three RBI and Meola went 2-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. 

The Hatters continue their series against Bradley with a pair of games tomorrow. First pitch for Game 1 is set for 1:00 PM, with Game 2 to follow shortly after the conclusion of Game 1. The team will close out the series on Sunday at 11:00 AM.